Volunteers with the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley have been lending a hand in the storm-stricken South.

Last week, Marylee Zart of Orefield and employee Janice Osborne of South Whitehall Township traveled to Mississippi and Alabama, respectively, to aid recovery after the April 25-28 tornado outbreak that killed more than 350 people .

Zart began volunteering in 2001 and is an assistant coordinator for the local disaster response team which provides emergency assistance to residents affected by fire or other disaster. Osborne, director of communications and marketing at the local Red Cross, is assisting with media and public relations in Alabama.

Irv Burmil of Easton, a volunteer since July 2004, flew to Alabama on Thursday. He is trained in disaster response, with a specialty in interviewing families affected by fire or other emergency to assess and provide for their immediate emergency needs.

All three have represented the Greater Lehigh Valley on previous national disaster assignments.

More than 4,500 Red Cross workers from all 50 states are helping people affected by the recent storms. More than half of the country – from North Dakota to the East Coast – has been affected by severe weather since March and flood watches and warnings are still occurring. Red Cross is focusing on providing shelter, food and distribution of needed items.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to help victims of disasters meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services. The fund gives people the chance to help anywhere in the nation whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

If you would like to help, you can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also mail your contribution to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017.